Nightmares And Remedies

By Brenda Franklin

Haunted by reoccurring nightmares of silver eyes and sharp fangs, Bethany Jean, is at her wits end. She feels like she’s being watched all the time. At home, in the street; even at work! Nowhere feels safe. But just when she’s considering help for her delusions Bethany comes face to face with a living breathing vampire whose obsession with Bethany is deadly.
Lucas was one of many vampires looking for a murderer, what he didn’t expect was to find the man’s latest victim, Bethany, alive and turned into a vampire! Setting side his attraction for the woman Lucas is forced to take a back seat to finding the vampire at large so that he can watch and explain what’s going on when the woman wakes up, but convincing this woman that he is a good guy and the fact that she is no longer human isn’t going to be a walk in the park.
With a killer on the loose, a house full of vampire testosterone, and Bethany walking around in nothing more than Lucas' shirt, you can guarantee this is going to be one hell of a time and with any luck it could end in their favor. That is, if Bethany realizes that being a vampire has its perks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brenda Franklin
• Release date: Jul 7, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311210531

Brenda Franklin

Brenda Franklin was born and raised in Louisiana surrounded by fantasy, romance, and the paranormal. She's always had a love for writing, having written her first horror story before middle school about a monster that devoured people in the night-I believe they call him the Boogie Man.Brenda points the blame/thanks for her obsessive need to write and read about vampires to her father who had an old bookshelf in their living room when she was growing up. From top to bottom it was filled with combat related books, old westerns, books by Dean Koontz, Stephen King, and Brian Lumley, and many more fascinating reads. But the book Brenda remembers the most was ‘Interview with a Vampire’ by Anne Rice. After reading it, she's never been the same since.She's the author of paranormal romance books, The Pulse Trilogy:A Steady PulseBarely BeatingFlat Line

Book preview

Nightmares And Remedies

Published by Brenda Franklin at Smashwords

Copyright 2016 Brenda Franklin

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Cover design by Brenda Franklin

Image by https://unsplash.com/@_vickyreyes

Chapter One

There was nothing but the darkness of the room, and a smell. It was rich with a tinny and soiled odor that burned the nostrils and turned the stomach. Then was the smell of overly ripped fruit, like what Bethany’s grandmother, MeeMaw as Bethany called her, had at the center of the table when Bethany would come visit. That was the extent of the appeal for the sounds of low groans and a sharp snap jarred Bethany back to her senses.

Within a breath the world spun in dull blurry colors as her flesh burned and her heart rushed with conflicting senses. Pain, hot and sizzling clawed across as sickening waves of pleasure hit her unexpectedly. How could anyone find pleasure in this madness.

Than the world froze. Silver eyes bore into her hungrily.

Help me. Please. Anyone. Save me!

That was the cry that woke her, jerking her forward out of the nightmare that had haunted her day and night for the past few weeks.

Bethany was sitting upright in bed in a cold sweat, trembling and gasping for breath. Always the same terror. She couldn’t move, she could barely do more than breathe listening to her own cries as liquid hot silver bore over her.

The sensation slowly passed as she focused on her room reminding herself that she was safe. She was in her bed. Alone. A thought that might sadden others, but she found relief in her solitude. She didn’t want anyone to see her tremble and wipe at the water sliding down her cheeks like fire burning everything they touched leaving even her hands hurting when the evidence was removed.

They were merely nightmares, but at times they felt stronger. Like they were living, breathing creatures constantly sliding between the cracks of her mind making her feel weary. Even as she worked they nipped at her heels, but she kept them to herself. She couldn’t confide in Elizabeth Hart, her best friend, about the dreams. Not yet. Elizabeth had enough to worry about. She trusted Bethany to maintain the store while she was away for the week in Michigan to visit her cousin with her new husband, Virgil Hart. Bethany didn’t want the woman to worry over her as she had so many other times throughout the years. She could manage her delusions a bit longer. The nightmares would have to wait.

Besides, there was nothing to worry about, Bethany reminded herself rubbing her eyes. Nothing a long shower and a good cup of coffee couldn’t fix.

Bethany hugged her fingers tighter around her coffee cup tighter. Even inside you could feel winter. Winter was a mean season this year, actually bringing snow for three days, which is crazy in Louisiana. Heck, people seem to panic when they received slush.

Give me rain any day.

Bethany took another sip. There was nothing like a hot drink to wake up the senses on such a cold morning. The only thing good about winter was if you had a guy to curl up to, and Bethany didn’t.

She didn’t have time for the matter, what with the horrifying silver eyes being in the forefront of her mind and a store to run there just wasn’t time to. Perhaps, she thought as she tapped against the granite counter top.

Bethany sighed as she recalled her last kind of boyfriend, Ted Danton, was a looker. With dark hair, a slim waistline hidden under a suit and tie, and a sexy accent that made anything he said sound alluring.

Bethany frowned. The man was all prim and proper and looking good until she brought him home. He didn’t appreciate anything, he even trekked mud across her carpet, dared to call her house nice, thought she would cook all his food—granted her loved cooking, but the man was more interested in having sex than learning anything about her. Bethany’s frown deepened at the memory. How the hell did she even sleep with him? She had better sense than that. She could overlook a few things but the man was just playing a role he knew nothing about and when the morning came he just thought she was his to order about just because they shacked up.

Bethany’s face had gone from frowning to narrowed eyes and thinned lips with intense irritation. She felt the little eye tick she got sometimes when something really pissed her off and it was chiming in. Hard!

I don’t need a man right now; I like things the way they are. She said firmly to the empty space of the house around her as though the Universe, or her grandmother, could hear her.

A smile curved across her lips. Her MeeMaw, Fiona Jean Henderson, would have loved what Bethany had done with the house she was given long after the divorce of her parents. Or more than anything else she’d probably be happy that Bethany decided to keep the house instead of selling it. Though she passed away when Bethany had just turned eleven, Bethany could still see that loving, southern bell cooking away in the small kitchen pulling a stool next to her so that Bethany could see and help out.

That’s where Bethany had acquired her looks. She was the mini version of her grandma and she loved it. Her raven hair came down in long thick waves around her concealing the antique earrings she wore religiously. They had been a gift from her grandma for her tenth birthday and she cherished them along with the many other pieces of jewelry that had been given to her. And there was no mistaking her face. Soft angles made up the outline of her elegant face only made more beautiful with her heart shaped lips. Her dark brown eyes hid behind long lashes that many a man had been enticed by, but far fewer had been successful enough to actually slide by her guard. The curves of her body were warped warmly by her hidden black leggings under black slacks and her favorite red blouse with a black vest lying smoothly against her flat belly curving up and over her full breasts, a feature she knew had to be a gift from her father’s side of the family because both her mom and grandma hadn’t been blessed with these sort of curves. But regardless of her features she felt the most connected to her grandma when she was in the kitchen. So it was off no surprise that when she collected her inheritance money, and the keys to the house, that Bethany had set to work revitalizing the kitchen, and in the end, the whole house.

The space was small, the equipment basic. There had been more care placed in the dining room than the kitchen due to her mother’s eye for style. It just fell flat in the food department. Her mother was more of the, let’s dine out, kind of woman.

When it came to food Bethany started cooking from her MeeMaw and learned more from Adele, their first house keeper, when she lived in New York, for a short period.

After MeeMaw’s passing Bethany and her mother spent time cleaning out the house. It occurred later that they were redecorating it to move into due to the fact that Bethany’s parents were separating.

Unfortunately, when the divorce was finalized Adele disappeared. The unspeakable rumor was that Bethany’s father had multiple affairs, but Bethany never confirmed if Adele was one of them. She liked to think not, because Adele was a sweet woman. But none the less, Adele was gone and replaced with an older woman named April, who was also skilled in stylized cooking.

Bethany’s mom, Karen Henderson, who had always gone by her maiden name for her own career, picked April specifically for that reason—her skill in cooking. It was among one of the kindest things Bethany’s mother could have done during such a difficult time in their lives. Though April only stayed around for a year.

With so much passion towards cooking there was no wonder why she started the remodeling in the once tiny kitchen before all else.

Bethany took out the wall between the kitchen and the decorative dining room in which no one was ever allowed to eat in for fear that it would become ruined. Now it had been turned into a usable space. This allowed her to play and create a lovely kitchen and dining area with refurnished hardwood floors, a colorful tile backsplash behind the sink, and cream colors on the cabinets. The table, chairs, and dishes lining the china cabinet were all added features from her mother’s travels overseas. Little things she had picked up as she toured the world writing articles about her travels featuring design, fashion, food, and culture. She had made a name for herself selling to leading magazines and even being featured on the cover of Inspiration. Even now, Bethany’s mother was in the middle of Malaysia on an assignment. Or so she last heard. It had been nearly a week since her last e-mail, but that was the norm. As much as Bethany missed her over the years if it weren’t for her mother’s busy schedule she wouldn’t have been blessed with the house and people who became her extended family, so something positive did come out of it.

From the newly designed kitchen was a large archway leading into the living room and a secondary door leading to the large pantry and laundry room combo, as well as, and the backdoor. On the other side of the wall leading into the living room and front of the house was a staircase leading up to the two bedrooms and a bathroom.

Her second favorite location was the backyard. It was a small fenced-in yard with a stone walkway, rose bushes, and an assortment of tulips for her mom. It was a nice open space that inspired her, but she hadn’t yet put pen to paper on the details through it was the unknown and excitement of what she could make that she loved. She had considered a small back deck to cook on, but the idea wasn’t solid enough to do anything with. Maybe when Spring finally rolled in she would start work on something.

Looking back on it, it was hard to believe this was the same house Bethany had visited as a child. The old white interior was replaced with bright colors and framed pictures of her throughout her years with her family and friends from the store, E-Z Treats. Walking through the house it almost felt alive.

Her best friend, Elizabeth Parks was a kindred spirit in the world of cooking and when they bumped into each other at school they were inseparable, so it was no wonder when Elizabeth started E-Z Treats that Bethany would follow along and become a partner.

Bethany paused to stare at one of these family pictures. It was a picture of Elizabeth and Samuel Parks, Elizabeth’s father, at the Zoo. This was during their summer break after they had graduated high school. With Bethany’s parents busy schedule she was left to celebrate with Elizabeth’s family, who she had been instantly adopted into in the eighth grade. They truly had been a blessing to her and a great influence in her life.

Unfortunately, Samuel had passed away a year ago, but he was still with them in spirit. Bethany could feel him when she was wandering around her house alone looking over their pictures. She would have been lost without them. Samuel and Elizabeth used to invite her over all of the time when her mother left for her long trips. Other than Bethany’s brother, she was alone to take care of herself. Samuel became her second dad.

Bethany looked to a couple more hanging portraits and then returned to her coffee.

It was early morning. The sun had yet to rise, but this was the best time to head to work. Nice and early to start some of the cooking. The store, which she was now a partner of, featured an array of sweets such as bags of chocolates, a wide range of cookies, cakes, chocolates, pralines, and many other delicious goodies along with coffees which they mostly featured during the winter, like now.

The sound of her alarm in her wrist watch went off reminding her to get a move on. She located and put on her red gloves before wrapping herself up tightly in her black jacket. Then she grabbed her purse, found her keys, and finished off the last of her coffee before placing the cup in the sink and making her way to the door.

It’s going to be a great day, she told herself pushing her bad dream behind her. As she opened the door the cold wind bushed across the collar of her jacket tugging at the loose strands of her hair. She locked up and headed down the three steps onto the small pavement path that curved to the two car driveway.

Just as she stepped up to the side of her car she felt a chill, and it wasn’t from the cold air. It was internal and alive making the hair on the back of her neck and arms stand up. She felt like she was being watched. Scratch that, she knew she was.

Instantly, she looked around pulling her car door open. There was no one. Thank God for street lights, but there were plenty of places she couldn’t see. Like around corners, in back yards, in the trees. She shook her head.

How silly a thought. Like there would be anything in the trees. But Bethany stole a peek over her shoulder and into the dark leafless trees. She smiled at her silliness but her eyes continued to drift until she was staring at the house parallel to hers across the road.

Her eyes crawled over the small Nissan Sentra in the driveway; then to the front porch, which was covered in darkness due to a broken porch light. Her eyes drew slowly from the dark porch to the large wooded gate leading into the backyard. Anyone could be watching her from just behind it. Bethany slid her body back into the shelter of her car.

I must be losing it. She muttered just as something moved along the roof. She stiffened. Was there someone on the roof? Why would anyone be on the roof at night? Maybe it was a cat?

Again she felt a tremor run through her body. She rubbed at the back of her neck desperate to get rid of the feeling. Her other hand tightened on the door to her car. She was safe, she continued to remind herself. Even if there was someone on the roof she was in no danger. They would have to climb off the roof and run across the street to get Bethany if that was there goal. It didn't make sense. No, she was probably seeing things. But still. . .

She stood there facing off with the house as though she would be attacked if she took her eyes off of it and then, with another gust of wind, the house next to hers came alive causing Bethany to jump against her car. Lights flicked on and the front door swung open to Mr. and Mrs. Saddler’s house. This drew Bethany's full attention instantly and flooded her with relief as she reminded herself to breathe and relax. Easing into her car she started the engine letting her car warm up as she slid back out to wave at Mr. Saddler.

Ah, good morning Ms. Jean. Mr. Saddler greeted.

Good morning, Bethany smiled and laughed a little at her reaction. That was one way to get the blood pumping so early in the morning. The man reached back into the house and kissed the head of his wife before stepping out into the yard. He was suited up and ready to start his morning, as well.

Have a good day. He smiled towards Bethany.

Same to you. Bethany replied sliding into her car for the last time. Once the door was locked and she was safe she could finally breathe again. Talk about being tense. Whatever she had seen was clearly nothing more than her mind playing tricks on her. She was safe and once at work everything would be better, Bethany reminded herself as she left before Mr. Saddler not wanting to be alone sitting out front of her house any longer.

Even at work the feeling lingered. Bethany couldn’t keep the memory of that morning out of her mind and even worse still she continued to feel as though someone was watching her even in the store, behind a locked door. She just couldn't shake this feeling. It was so strong that she called someone in early to keep her company.

Taking a nervous breath she ate another pistachio cookie. Miss Bethany, Octavos Ringer, a large man who knew his way around a kitchen spoke.

Octavos started his way as a janitor and dishwasher before Bethany picked him up and introduced him to Elizabeth. It was a perfect match. He was a struggling father, husband, and caretaker for his mother. He looked intimidating, but put a pink apron on him and the dark skin man turned into a fast favorite.

Yes, Mr. Ringer? Bethany turned her dark brown eyes onto the man who was stripping off his apron very quickly. He hated to be called Mr. by Elizabeth or Bethany, but they wouldn’t have it any other way. He was nearly six years older than Bethany. So he’d just have to get used to it. What’s wrong? Bethany asked rushing up to him to help untangle him from the knot in his apron strings.

I’m sorry. I need to leave. My mom fell and she is on her way to the hospital. He spoke calmly, but he wasn’t calm. The haste in his hands and body said he needed to leave. I will try and call someone in from my car to cover my shift—

Don’t worry about it. Bethany said finally cutting the string to the apron uncaring about it at this point and tossing it over her shoulder. I’ve got it covered. You just take care of your mom. Is someone going to get your girls? I thought your wife was working?

No, that was her that called. She is getting off work early to get the girls I am going to the hospital. Thank you Miss Jean. He said hastily searching for his keys on his way out passing by Jeffery Langston.

Where’s he going? the young senior high school student asked. He was tall with black hair and an uncaring air about him—though truth be told he had a big heart. Elizabeth was the one that insisted and even helped him apply to colleges. She said that he was too smart to not go to college, but honestly, Jeffery was a free spirit. Bethany felt he was just trying to make Elizabeth happy when he applied, but she hoped he’d turn around and have fun. He looked like he would enjoy it and after sending off several letters she couldn’t wait to hear if he’d get into one. Bethany was excited for him as well, but not in a mama bear kind of way.

Family emergency. Bethany answered.

He stopped moving on the spot. Is it the twins? Jeffery instantly asked.

The girls are fine, it’s his mom. She fell. He is heading to the hospital to see her. Bethany answered. Hopefully nothing’s broken.

I hope so. Jeffery nodded. Not to sound negative or anything, but who’s taking his shift?

I’ll make a few phone calls. Just give me a few minutes. Bethany said heading to the small cluttered desk hidden away by a shelf. She sat down and started to work out the details. Calling someone in turned out to be pretty painless, what wasn’t painless was the delivery man and the damaged boxes they received. Bethany spent the better part of an hour going through inventory, figuring out what was damaged, and what she would pay for. By the end, Bethany was ready for another cup of hazelnut coffee, which amazingly Jeffery brought to her.

Bethany loved her coffee.

The phone rang with the familiar voice of Miss Roth who loved freshly baked pecan snickerdoodles. Then it was back to work to fill in orders.

Chapter Two

Why do I still feel so strange? Bethany muttered as she looked out the store window and into the parking lot. There were a few cars, but the people looked normal. Some were smiling, some on phones, and others too busy with their lives to even notice Bethany. None held the look from her dream. The only person close to the silver eyes she had seen was Virgil, Elizabeth’s husband, but his eyes were a duel bluish grey. They weren’t bright and scary.

It was just a dream; yet, something about outside made her nervous. No, it scared her. The fear was tangible. It crawled over her skin painfully leaving tiny pinching sensations in its wake as the fear burrowed deep within her. It grew to the point in which the pinching sensations began to hurt causing her hands to run up and down her arms in an attempt to rub it away. To scratch away the ghostly pains digging her nails deeper along her flesh until—

Bethany? Bethany let out a cry in fright turning to face the perpetrator. Whoa! I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare the crap out of you. Jeffery instantly said having jumped back and away from Bethany with his arms raised. He hadn’t expected a reaction like that from Bethany when he walked up behind her.

No. No. Bethany breathed looking around to see that they had gathered a few eyes. She was safe. She didn’t need to give the rest of the staff a heart attack or worry about her. Hell, she was doing a good enough job giving herself one! I’m sorry. W—what is it? Bethany smiled releasing a laugh to try and defuse the tension. It worked, a little.

Are you okay? Jeffery asked lowering his hands and pointing towards her arms. He looked worried. Bethany looked down. Her eyes grew wide seeing the marks cut across her skin.

Did I do that? She ran her fingers lightly across the scratches.

Don’t panic, she reminded herself, there was no need to freak Jeffery out too. Bethany continued to trace her fingers along the thin scratches. It looked like her and a cat had gotten into a fight, which wasn’t possible since she didn’t own a cat nor did she care to. She wasn’t a cat kind of person. Heck, she would probably end up killing it on day two with her pet track record. There was Bud the gold fish who died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Also, Gable and May, the Beta fish, who knew they would kill each other! Then there was Kit and Kat, who were two parakeets who performed the Romeo and Juliet, or so Bethany’s mother said when Bethany woke up one morning to find them dead at the bottom of the cage. Honestly, Bethany still hadn’t a clue as to what happened and had always wondered if Binks, the Capuchin Monkey, owned by Mrs. Rollins, could have killed them since it had been staying the weekend, but Bethany never knew. Not like she liked the birds, they sounded like two old cranky people going at each other’s throats all the time. Then there was Raphe, the beagle, which MeeMaw had until he decided to kick the bucket in Bethany’s room one night. Yep, Bethany had a great track record with animals and wasn’t looking forward to any in the near future.

But none of that was important right now she had to convince Jeffery that she hadn’t lost her mind over nothing. So she plastered on her best reassuring smile. I’m fine. I had one heck of an itch. She forced her hands down to her sides. Jeffery just stared at her, judging whether he believed her or not. Then, after a long wait he slowly nodded his head in acceptance of her answer.

Not to push you out the door, but shouldn’t you be heading home soon. It’s nearly five. You’ve been here all day. Jeffery said casually as he headed to the table next to Bethany to clean. Not to mention you’ve been staring out this window for some time. He quickly wiped the table top.

Bethany blinked. Five? Was it really close to five? She looked down at her phone. Scratch that, it was past five. I’m sorry. I’m just thinking about stuff. Lost track of time. Bethany said as a chime brought her attention back down to her phone. Elizabeth’s name popped up as well as a text. It read "How are you?" Bethany frowned. How the heck did Elizabeth know she was going mad? Then her eyes slowly lifted to Jeffery who was spending way too much time detailing the tabletop. He looked guilty without even looking at her. Her eyes narrowed.

Jeffery? He straightened up tossing the rag on his shoulder and sent his eyes out the window Bethany had been staring out of. She pointed to her phone. Did you text Lizzy about me? Of course he did! This was the last thing she wanted. She didn’t want Elizabeth to worry about her.

Jeffery shrugged. Jeffery? Bethany breathed deeply deciding how best to punish the kid and what the heck to say to Elizabeth, because if she didn’t text her within ten minutes the woman would surely call and then there was no keeping the truth from her. This is great. Bethany thought letting out a sound of frustration.

Slowly a grin crossed his lips. Then he dropped his head and faced her. "You’ve been weird since I’ve been here. Messed up one